NLIS 5
November 23, 2005
(Education)


The following statement was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today I am pleased to inform my honourable colleagues, parents and educators about a project to raise awareness of skilled trades as a career choice for our province�s young people.

Opportunities for our future high school graduates are rapidly increasing as employers and business operators identify a shortage of skilled labour here in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country.

The Department of Education has been working with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and Skills Canada � Newfoundland and Labrador, a not-for-profit organization that works with employers, teachers and labour groups to raise the profile of trade and technical careers as a real option for young people.

This work is part of the $12 million national campaign, Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On, which was launched last fall. With input from our province�s schools, Women in Resource Development, and construction industry stakeholders, a proposal for the development of a skilled trades� user guide and information package was submitted to a national committee and chosen for full development. The project is called Resource Tools for Educators and is expected to be completed next spring.

It is important that our teachers and guidance counselors are well-informed of all career opportunities that exist. Educators themselves have indicated there is a lack of awareness of the many career opportunities in the skilled trades. The tools that will be developed over the next several months will not only raise awareness, but will also raise the profile of skilled trades among high school students.

This is the latest initiative within the Department of Education to promote the skilled trades. In May 2005, the department launched a new apprenticeship and certification Web site. I believe the Resource Tools for Educators will help increase the number of young people who take part in apprenticeship programs and is a step to addressing our skill shortages.

2005 11 23        1:15 p.m.

 

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